Migrate OS to SSD From HDD While Keeping Files on HDD - Tutorial

Updated by

Sherly 

Updated on Nov 14, 2024

Do you want to transfer the operating system from HDD to SSD but keep other files and programs on the original HDD? Backing up the OS and restoring it on the SSD might be troublesome and time-consuming. Fortunately, you can choose a safe and reliable third-party tool to migrate the system. EaseUS offers detailed guides on it; read on.

How to Migrate OS to SSD From HDD While Keeping Files on HDD

EaseUS Partition Master is a professional system migration tool. After the migration is completed, the operating system can be started normally on the SSD. Before we start, you need to do the following preparations:

 ✔️Step 1. Download Professional System Migration Tool

Compared to Windows Backup and Restore, EaseUS Partition Master Professional is much simpler and can ensure successful system migration. It is compatible with all Windows and can complete system migration without creating any system image. Please make sure you have installed it on your computer.

 ✔️Step 2. Connect SSD to Computer

Choose a suitable adapter or external dock to connect the SSD to the computer. Back up the data on the SSD drive. If your SSD capacity is small, you need to clean up some data first to ensure that there is enough space for the operating system.

If you are migrating the operating system from MBR HDD to GPT SSD, please make sure your operating system is 64-bit, and the motherboard supports UEFI/EFI boot mode. Otherwise, you need to upgrade the operating system from 32-bit to 64-bit or convert the SSD to MBR, the same as the source disk.

Step 3. Migrate OS From HDD to SSD When Keeping Files on the Original HDD

As a professional system migration tool, EaseUS Partition Master also has the following features:

1. 💡Support: NVMe, M.2, SATA, PCle, U.2, HDD
2. 🧩Compatibility: Perfectly compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista
3. 🔎Interface: Clear for beginners

Now, you can check your preparations and start moving only the OS to the SSD while keeping your files on the HDD. Here's how:

1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, go to the Clone section, click "Migrate OS" and click "Next" to continue.

2. Select the target SSD you want to migrate Windows OS to, and click "Next".

3. Click "Yes" to confirm the you want to exceute the operation. 

4. Click "Start" to start migrating your OS to the new SSD.

5. When the process completes, you'll see a confirming message, asking "if you want to start up computer from the clone target disk".

Tick "Adjust the order to boot from the clone target disk" and click the respective button through your demands. 

• Reboot Now means to reboot your PC and configure the computer to boot OS from the new disk immediately.
• Done means you want to make the changes later. 

 

Through the above steps, you have migrated the operating system only to the SSD, and EaseUS Partition Master has helped you change the boot order, and your operating system can now boot directly from the SSD. If you are planning to transfer the operating system from HDD to SSD and keep all other data on the original HDD, don't miss this OS migration tool. Share it with more users.

Why Migrate OS to SSD From HDD While Keeping Files on HDD

Should you move the OS to the SSD and keep the files and other software on the HDD? Is this correct? Yes, users usually choose to migrate only the OS from the HDD to the SSD for many reasons. Usually as follows:

🔴1. Run the OS separately from other installed software

For system protection or personal habits, many users would like to separate the OS from the software and personal data. They usually have lower requirements for PC configuration and will not install large games there.

🟠2. SSD capacity limitation

Although SSD now have larger capacity and more affordable prices, it is still far from meeting the needs of users who have installed large software. Migrating the OS from the HDD to the SSD while keeping the files and other software on the HDD is their only choice.

Conclusion

How to migrate the operating system from HDD to SSD while keeping your files on the HDD? EaseUS Partition Master guarantees the success of this task. It allows to migrate the operating system directly to the SSD without creating any system image and without damaging your other files or changing their location in the process.

FAQs About Migrating OS to SSD While Keeping Files on HDD

This article provides a detailed guide on how to migrate OS from HDD to SSD while keeping files on the hard drive. Check the following questions to get more info.

1. Is it safe to transfer OS from HDD to SSD?

Sure, many uses choose to transfer operating system form an HDD to an SSD for better management or better performance. This is safe and an OS transfer software can help a lot.

2. How do I move my OS to SSD and keep files on the hard drive?

To migrate only OS to SSD and keep other files on HDD, follow the instructions:

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master and select "Clone" from the left menu. Click "Migrate OS".

Step 2. Select the destination disk to be cloned. Click "Next".

Step 3. Click "Yes" after checking the warning message. Please make sure that you have backed up important data in advance. If not, please back up now.

Step 4. Preview the layout of the destination disk. Then click Start.

Step 5. Choose whether to adjust the order of booting from the cloned destination disk according to your needs.

3. Can I keep my files on HDD and transfer OS to SSD only?

Sure, it's a nice choice to migrate OS to SSD while keeping games and files on the old HDD. This will manage your disk well and well-classified partitions will make is easy for you to manage data.